Detectives investigating a robbery at a petrol station in Ellesmere Port have released CCTV images of the incident.

At around 4.20am today, Friday 22 March, a man wearing a blue face covering entered the BP garage on Overpool Road and asked a young woman working there for a packet of cigarettes as she was stood behind the counter.

Once she had selected the cigarettes the offender produced a large knife.

She put the cigarettes on the counter and the offender then grabbed them, a packet of biscuits, chocolate bars and milkshake drinks and fled out of the front door carrying the items in a cardboard box that he took from the garage.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing for anyone who recognises the clothing that the man in the CCTV images was wearing and believes they may know who he is to come forward.

They also want to speak to anyone who was in the area and witnessed, or has footage of, anything that may aid the investigation.

Detective Constable John Ellis said: “This was a frightening incident that has understandably left the young woman extremely shaken up.

“I would like to reassure the community that it is believed to be an isolated incident and we are determined to catch the offender and bring him to justice.

“We are at a very early stage of our investigation. Enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who believes they may know the identity of the man in the CCTV images to get in touch.

“The same goes for anyone who was in the area and thinks they may have seen him, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of him, either before or after the robbery was carried out.”

Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may aid detectives with their investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 353384, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.